Filling machine



Jan 10, 1961 F. E. FAUTH ETAL FILLING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1959 6Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FREDRICK E. FAUTH ATTORNEYS F. E. FAUTH ETALFILLING MACHINE Jan. 10, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 15, 1959 FEDRICK E.FAUTH DANIEL J.BUSTRAAN ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1961 F. E. FAuTHETAL FILLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 15, 1959 INVENTORS K E.FAUT H FREDRIC DANIEL J. BUSTRAAN BYMM, kg} vW/(M ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent-G LL NG 5 Frederick E. Fauth,. Baltimore, and Daniel].Bustraan,

' Lu h v le, Md, a signors 0 Crown 0 lt: a p y, Bhi adslr iaj aq rpo aio New Y k Filed July 15, 1 959; Ser No. 827,246 3 a ms. L, 41-2149) Thepresentinvention. relates to a filling machine, and more particularly,tov a rotary filling machine having. an improved container supportingplatform mechanism which. is. adapted to receive, containers and movethem into engagement with filling; heads for. filling whilethecontainers are moving in a circular pathfand further and improvedarrangement for supporting the rotary turret structure on thestationaryframe structure,

Filling machines of the type. disclosedv herein generally. include astationary frame structure. having a work table thereon forreceiving/containers. transferred. thereto. by. flat top endless type ofconveyors; The. stationary frame. structure supports a rotary turretstructure which includes the reservoir for the liquid; filling headsopera? tively carried by the turret and communicating with the reservoirand a plurality'ofj container supporting platforms one-platform being.in vertical alignment. and-"beneath each ofthefilling heads. Thecontainer supporting platforms are adapted to receive containers, as.'they are transferred from the fiat mp conveyor. by suitable.

i nfeeddials, the platforms then being movedzvertically 5 upwardly toa-position where the. container makes sealing engagement with thefilling head thereabove.

After the container has sealing engagement with the filling head andwhile the rotarystructure is rotating, 40

the container isusually first placed under couriterpressure and thenfilled with liguid from the reservoir. In

some instances, there is a:-snifting' stagef-in the filling cycle sothatthe container can belowered away. the filling head without' foaming.This'is usually done when "the beverage is a carbonated soft drink.On'the 5 other hand, it is not'usuall-y necessary to sni'ft whenthebeverage i s beer or ale. The container is lowered away from'thjefilling head by the lowering of the platform immediately afterthefilling cycle is complete and it is then transferred ofi of therotaryturret structure by an outfeed dial. The containers are thentransferred to a orowner or other equipment for closing the same;

According to the United States --Patent No. 2,824,584, issued February25, 1 958, on an application of Rudolph H. Breeback, each containersupporting platform mecha-i 55 nism includes a piston andcylinder'arrangement:whereby a first fluid pressure. is applied to raisethe container supportingplatform with a container. thereon to an.elevation where the container is in sealing engagement the filling head.Then asecond fluid;pressureatahigher 0 p de m e lue, a plied *9 the QX Zl-W the a t t is. held in ti h -sea n n ag nt h refilling ea rthecqm iaehatl c n fille the container. supporting .platform.ha d moved to a'pgstion where it engages an il down cam, theplatfm ilwfi positively movedto its lower position by the pull dowh can: and thefluid pressure in thecylinder either rele edjust prior to, 'during'or afterthe lowering ofthe pat: term de e d n a th trea es sn t .gf th 1 i i a fil n An objectof the present invent-ion isto prov1de=an improved containersupporting-mechauism-for fillingn a- 2,967,551 Patented Jan. 10, 1961 hies hereinl e n ai e su nor a p at rm is a ed rom a owerrcsit o ah ghe inos by e? o fiu idtpressure.

In prior filling machines of, the type disclosed in the aforementionedBreeback patent, the rotary turret ture, which included a rotaryfilling; table and a super- PQ fid. reservoir was mou nted on a centralcolumn journaled in the stationary, frame structure' orwork table 'by athrust bearing. Since, the frotarytable egttengledout wardly from. thecentral column a considerable distance and was quite heavy and sincetheliquid reservoir and the, filling heads. extended outwardly of thecentral column, tremendous forces. were exerted on the thrust. bearing.

Anobject of thepresent invention is to provide a filling machine. of therotary type with a bearing arrangement which increases the stability.ofthe filling machine at high rpm. by more evenly distributing weight ofthe rotaryturret structure over the stationary frame structure.

Another object of the present, invention is to provide a rotary fillingmachine with, a hydrostatic bearing arrangement whereby they rotaryturret struc re is, ef fectively. supported on the. stationary frame, bya filn) of lubricating liquid such as oil, or thejlike. Suchanarrangement provides less friction between the moving parts and agreater mass, can. berotated at higher speeds v with less vibrationbeing setup during, the fillingcycle from other moving parts such as.the" vertically moving container supporting. platforms, engagement ofthefilling valves of the filling heads withstaiti'ouary camsfandlthe,like..' A still further object of the present invention is, to pro vide.a filling machine with novel means of controlling fluid pressure to thecylinders of the c'dntainer'lift 'plat forms "Whereby'the platforms canhe reciprocatedive'rtically while the rotary structure of tlie'ffillingmachine is moving. Another object of the. present invention. is toprovide a. rotary filling machine hailing a containe'rl supportingplatform movable vertically. and utilizing difierential pressures actingon. the platforms during elevation qfithe container supporting platform,whereby contairirs can be placed into tight. sealingengageinentwith thefilling heads without causing a jarringracticrito the 'fillingi'machine; i Still another object of the present invention is tqprovide afilling machine having a lift. mechani's'info fthe' container supportingplatform's utili'z'in'g fluid pressure to raise the platforms andutilizing gravity to lower the platform. i

Astill further object of the present invention is to pro vide a rotaryfilling machir'irha'ving' container supporting platforms raised by fluidpressure and loweredxby gravity, the cylinders of the platformsb'eing'provid'ed Furtherjan object of the"lpre'sentinventionIistoprovide a rotary-filling machineiitilizing ahydrostatiebearing for supporting the entire rotary turret structure-andevenly distributing the weight of the rotary'turret structure over thestationary frame structure-the, hydrostaic bearing being uilizedtoprovide a manifold or .airdis i tributor valve fortliefluid pressureused in operatin 4 the individual cylinders of the liftfplatforms.

. Ancillary to the preceding object, it isan object of.

the present invention .toprovideafi air rnanifold'ordistfibutor valve inthehydrQStafi? l jQfi IE-HIIGLQ Y 1 lubricating liquid o he a ydpst tibea ing pr vide a 1 i effective haflle .or sealjor the air pressure.

Aiurthc o je t of theatr -at argues a filling machinehaving a rotaryturret structure and a stationary frame structure utilizing an annularhydrostatic thrust bearing, the rotary turret structure beingeffectively supported on the stationary frame structure by a thin filmof liquid at a predetermined pressure, means being provided to stoprotation of the rotary structure upon dropping of the pressure below apredetermined value.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willappear more fully in the following specification, claims and drawingswherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the filling machine of thepresent invention provided with improved lifting mechanism for thecontainer supporting platforms and with an improved means of mountingthe rotary turret structure on the stationary frame;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through one of the container supportingplatforms of the filling machine and through the novel bearingarrangement for supporting the rotary turret structure on stationaryframe structure;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the annular lower bearing ring of the presentinvention which is mounted on the stationary frame structure;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of theannular bearing ring shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view of theupper and lower annular bearing rings of the present invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower bearing ringtaken on the line 66 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 7--7 ofFigure 3;

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 ofFigure 3;

Figure 8a is a side view taken on the line 8a8a of Figure 8;

Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 9- -9 ofFigure 3;

Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 10-10 ofFigure 3;

Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 11-11 ofFigure 3;

Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 12-,12of Figure 3;

Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 13-13 ofFigure 3;

Figure 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 14-14 ofFigure 3; 1

Figure 15 is a side view taken on the line 15-15 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 16-16 ofFigure 3;

Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the drive gearfor the rotary structure;

Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the drainage oflubricating liquid from the table of the stationary frame structure tothe sump or reservoir;

Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional view partly in elevation showingthe mounting of a cylinder of the container lift platform mechanism onthe upper bearing ring;

Figure 20 is a schematic flow diagram for the bearing lubricating fluidof the filling machine of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like character or referencenumerals represent like or similar parts, the filling machine of thepresent invention is illustrated in general assembly in Figure 1 andincludes a stationary frame structure generally designated by thenumeral 10, and a rotary turret structure generallyv designated by thenumeral 12 supported for rotation upon the stationary frame structure.The stationary frame structure 10 is provided with'a base casting 14supported on standards 16 and having a lower floor 18 and an upperhorizontal table surface '20. Mounted to one side of the rotary 'turretstructure 12 and forming part of the stationary frame structure 10 is awork table 22 having a container supporting surface 24 and across whichruns a conven tional flat top type of endless chain conveyor 26. Alsomounted on the work table 22 is an article spacing and timing screw 28which has its axis parallel to and spaced from the axis of the conveyor26. The feed screw 28 engages containers traveling on the conveyor 26and properly spaces and times the containers so that they may bereceived in the pockets of a rotary infeed dial- 311* also mounted onthe work table 22.

Rotary turret structure 12 includes a cylindrically shaped body member32 which carries adjacent its lower end a plurality of containersupporting platform mechanisms 34. A donut shaped reservoir 36 iscarried on the upper end of the cylindrically shaped body member 32, thedonut shaped reservoir being provided with a plurality of filling heads38, each filling head having a valve operating arm 40. Details of thefilling head 38*,- its filling valve and valve operating arm aredisclosed and claimed in the copending application of Carl L. Day et al.Serial Number 542,811, filed October 26, 1955} entitled Filling Head"and now United States Patent No.- 2,876,674 issued July 28, 1959. In theaforementioned Day et al. application, the filling head disclosed andclaimed is particularly adapted for filling machines of the type fillingcontainers with carbonated liquids such as soft drinks, soda water orthe like. While the present invention is shown in association with afilling machine for filling containers with a carbonated liquid, it willbe understood and within the scope of the present invention to usefilling machines having other types of filling heads and for fillingother types of liquids.

The details of the filling head and its operation is not disclosedspecifically herein but is disclosed in the afore mentioned copendingapplication of Day et al and to that extent forms a part of the presentdisclosure. It will! suffice to say that containers traveling on theendless con veyor26 are spaced by the timing and spacing screw 28? sothat they can be received in the pockets of the infeed spider 30 whichin turn transfers them onto the container supporting platform mechanisms34. The platform mechanisms 34 are raised vertically until the containerengages the filling head 38 immediately thereabove in a tight sealingrelationship. The rotary turret structure 12 is continuously moving on avertical axis and the valve operating arm 40 of the filling heads 38 aremoved to various positions by engagement with a stationary cam (notshown). A typical filling cycle is to first place the container'undercounterpressure, then fill the container with liquid from the reservoirand finally snift pressure from the container prior to the containerbeing lowered away from the filling head 38. After the containers arelowered, they are taken oil? of the platforms by a take off spider (notshown) and are transferred to suitable mechanism for closing the samesuch as crowners if the container is a bottle or can end seamers if thecontainer is a can.

The reservoir 36 is filled to a desired level with carbonated liquidfrom a suitable source (not shown) by a pipe 42 extending from thesource to a suitable swivel connection or fitting 44 as shown in brokenlines in Figure l and from the swivel connection through a pipe 46branching into the reservoir as indicated at 48. The swivel connectionor fitting 44 also provides a radial hearing between the stationaryframe structure 10 and the rotary turret 12. Counterpressure gas such ascarbon dioxide is fed through the pipes 50 from a suitable source (notshown) to a swivel head or fitting 52 where it in turn feeds the gas tothe area of the reservoir above the liquid by the branch conduits 54shown in dotted lines in Fig ure 1. Suitable means will be provided tocontrol the level of liquid in the reservoir 36 as well as thepressureof the superposed gas.- A gage 55 is mounted on the reservoir 36to indicate the presssurewf: the gas onathe iquid therein.-

Referring .now to Figure 2, the stationary -frame-structure-is provided,on-its upper horizontal table surface 20;with anannular bearing ring;60.; The annular bearing ring'60, which is shown inatop, plan .view inFigure 3 and which has a. diameter substantiallyequal to the diameter ofthe rotaryturret structure, isiprovided witha plurality of holes 62on-its bottonLsurface (Figure 11) which are adapted to receive,by-a.press.fit, pins 61 extending upwardly fromthe hori z ont al tablesurface 2-3. The pins 61 anchor the ring 60toithehorizontal tablesurface 20. A suitableannular. gasket,64. may be inserted between thering. 60 and'thehorizontal table. surface 20 sothat it makes afluidtight seal therewith,

Welded to the lower end of. the .body 3201 the rotary turret structure12 asshown at 66 isan annular flange or ring 68. Flange 68is providedwith apluralityofcircumferentially spaced holes 70 about its innerperiphery. A ring gear 72 is bolted to the fiange'68 by studs 74extending through the holes. 70 and threaded into the ring gear. Ringgear 72 is adapted to mesh with a drive gear 76 mounted on a shaft78vassh'own'in Figure 17. The shaft 78' is journaled in a suitable bearing80shown in broken lines in Figure l, the bearing 80 being mounted on.the floor 18 of the stationary fr'a'mes'tru'cturev 10. Shaft 78 extendsupwardly through a bearing 82 carried in the horizontal table 20. Alsomounted'on the shaft 78 is a gear 84 which is driven by a suitable,chain drive or like 86 from a speed reduction unit 88. Speed reductionunit 88 is coupled through abelt 89 to a suitable sourceof-power such asthe electric-motor 9,0. As is now evident, when the motor 90 isenergized, it will drive the rotary table through the, speed reductionunit 88, chain drive 86, gear 84, shaft 78, and gear 76.

Also mounted on the lower endfof the cylindricall'y shaped body 32ofjrotary turret structure 12 is a bearing ring- 92-having a downwardlyfacing horizontal bearing surface 94 adaptedto cooperate with anupwardly facing'horizontal bearing surface 96 of the annular bearingring 60. In more'detail, annular bearing ring 92 is provided with acutout portion 98 on its inner periphery, the cutout. portion 98 beingadapted to receive the outer peripheral portion of flange 68. Suitableclamping members generally indicated at 100 are provided to clampthefbearing 92 to the body member 32 of rotary turret structure 12. Theclamping members 100 includea L- shaped element 102 adapted to have oneend fit through an aperture or hole 104 in the body member 32. The otherend of the L-shaped members 102 is adapted to bear against theupper'surface of bearing ring 92 as indicated at 106. A stud 108extending through the L-shaped member 102 and threaded into the annularbearing ring 2'is adapted to draw the ring into tight engagement withthe flange 68 andthe L-shaped member 102.

Welded to the outside periphery of the cylindrically shaped body member32 as indicated at 110 is an annular flange 112 having a cutout portion114 adjacentits outer end. The flange 112, which is spaced upwardly ofthe bearing ring 92, may be provided with a plurality of holes 116 whichmake the unit lighter and also provides an area for any liquid spilledby a container to drain. Each of the container supporting platformmechanisms 34 include a cylinder 118 closed at its upper end by afitting 120 and at its lower end by a 'second' fitting 122. The fitting12% is provided with an ear 124 which is adapted to receive a pluralityof studs 126 therethrough so as to bolt the upper end of the cylinder118 to the flange 112. As shown in Figure 19, the fitting 122 on thelower end of the cylinder is adapted to be secured to the annularbearing ring 92 by means of studs 126. Suitable O-rings or gaskets 128are provided between the surface of the 'thpough and square incross-section, which is ,adapted jto receive the ;upp. er-e nd of a,piston,rod 13 2fwhieh square incross-sect -ion. Mounted on the upperendjof pistonyrod132 is a platform 134-having a horizontal surface forreceiving the container and suitable container centering means 135. Aflexible shield 136 carried on the bottom of the :platform:134 andextending downward vand outwardly therefrom provides an effective guardto-prvent liquid ,or dirt entering the area where the piston rod 132extends from the end of'the cylinder 118. I

Mounted on thelower end of the piston rod 132 is a double acting piston140. having an upwardly. facing gasket 142 and a: downwardly facinggasket 144. The piston ineludesya lower head 146 and an upper head-148*threadedonto a tubular body 150. The head 146ris boltedto the lower endof the piston rod 132 by meansof the stud152, the stud havinga loweraxially extending projection or pin-154. The fitting122. is providedwitha-passageway 156 whichis in axial alignment with the piston 140 andwhich is a-suflicient diameter to. receive the projection or. pin 154 onthe piston 140 when the piston-isin the lower position as shown inFigure 2 and still permit air under pressure to heapplied beneath thepiston. The passageway156 is closed at; its lower end: but communicateswith a transversely extending passage 158 which in turn communicateswith a passage 160 in the bearing ring 92. The passage 160 extendsradially of thebearing ring 92 and then extends downwardly andterminates in a port 162 as best shown in Figure 5.

As will now be understood, if a gaseous fluid under pressure, suchas'compressed air or the like, enters the port 162 to the passageway160, it will act on'the lower head 146 of piston 140 to cause the pistonto move vertically upwardly in the cylinder 118. A hole 164. in theupper end of the cylinder 118 provides a means-for escape to atmosphereof air above the piston. The size. of the hole may be controlled todetermine the speed at which the piston may be moved upwardly inthecylinder 118. Since the piston is fixedly. connected to the pistonrod 132, the piston will cause the rod 132 to extend upwardly throughthe fitting 120 to thereby raise the platform 1.34 and a containerpositioned thereon, irito the sealing engagement with a fillinghead 38.When the pressure of the air is released from beneath the: piston 140,the weight of the container the container sup porting platform 134,piston rod 132, and piston 140 is, sufficient to cause the unit tofallby gravity to th e lower position as shown in Figure 2. Inorderthatthere will be no jarring action when the piston reachesa limitof its downward or exhaust stroke, the projection 61' pin 154- enteringthe restricted passage 156 will cause cushioning of the down stroke andwill effectively brake the downward travel of the piston.

A more detailed explanation of the applicationoffluid pressure to thepiston 140 through the annular bearing rings 92 and 60 will follow laterin the specification.

Referring now specifically to Figures 3 to 16 inclusive,

it will be noted that the lower annular bearing'ringfio is provided onits upwardly facing horizontalsurface 96 with an arcuate groove ormanifold which extends between a babbit 172 and a second babbit. Asshown in Figure 4 and Figure9, the annular bearing ring 60 is providedwith aport. 176 in which a pipe 178 shown in broken lines, Figure 9)extends, to a pressure regulator (not shown), carried in the base 14 offthe frame structure 10. The pressure regulator is, supplie d with agaseous fluid, such as compressed air by a pipe 179' through filter 181,the pipe 179 extending toa suit: able source ofcompressed air (notshown). At the far end of the groove 170 adjacent the babbit-1173, asshown in Figure 3 and Figure 16,, a seconrd port 180 is. provided in,the bearing ring 60 andris conneeted to, a pipe whichleadsto an oilreservoir or sump .1,84-(Figure 20) as will be explained in more detaillater-in -the; speqifia;

7 tion. It will suffice to say that the air or gaseous fluid underpressure in the groove 170 is partially exhausted through the pipe 182to atmosphere by passing it through the reservoir 184. The port 180, is,of course, of much less diameter than the port 176 so that a desiredpressure of approximately 12 p.s.i. can be maintained in the groove ormanifold 170 of the bearing ring 60.

Figure 13 which is a sectional view through the bearing ring 60 showsthe babbit 172 held in place at the end of the groove 170 by a pin 186.The babbit 173 is mounted at the other end of the groove 170 inidentical manner so that a cross section through the annular hearingring 60 on the line 13'-13' of Figure 3 would be identical to the viewshown in Figure 13.

A second arcuate groove or air manifold 188 extending from the babbit173 around the ring to a babbit 190 provides a second manifold for theapplication of gaseous fluid to the cylinder 118 at a secondary pressureof approximately 20 p.s.i. The gaseous fluid enters the groove 188through a port 192. It is partially exhausted from the groove through asmall port 194. The cross section of the bearing ring 60 on the line 99'of Figure 3 is identical to that shown in Figure 9 and therefore, is notrepeated in the drawings. However, it will be understood that a pipe isconnected to the port 192 and extends to the pressure regulator where itreceives gaseous fluid from the source at a pressure higher than thepressure of gaseous fluid supplied to the groove 170. 'Likewise, a viewthrough the bearing ring 60 on the line 16'--16' of Figure 3 isidentical to the cross sectional view shown in Figure 16 and is notrepeated in the drawings. However, in the schematic view of Figure 20the pipe connected to the port 194 is indicated at 196 and leadstherefrom to the reservoir 184 Where the air is effectively exhaustedtherethrough to atmosphere.

An arcuate groove or exhaust air 198 extending between the babbit 190and the babbit 172 provides a seg: ment wherein the compressed airpreviously applied to the bottom of the piston 140 in cylinder 118 maybe relieved to atmosphere so that the piston 140, piston rod 132, andcontainer supporting platforms 134 can drop by gravity and lower acontainer away from the filling head 38 after the container has beenfilled. Groove 198 is positioned on ring 60 adjacent the infeed andoutfeed stations of the filling machine so that the platforms will be inthe lowered position when adjacent this area. Annular bearing ring 60 isprovided with an arcuate elongated slot 200 which communicates with thebottom of groove 198. The slot 200 cooperates with a fitting 202 carriedby the table 20, the fitting 202 being connected to a pipe 204 whichleads to a T-connection 206. The branch 208 extending verticallyupwardly from the T- connection will exhaust the air from beneath thepiston directly to atmosphere whereas the other branch 210 of theT-connection 206 leads back to the oil reservoir of sump 184 where anyoil entrained in the air supplied beneath the piston can drain andreturn to the sump. A second pipe 212 extending off of the line or pipe210 vertically above the same permits filling the sump 184 after alubrication drain.

As is now evident from the above description, the operation of the liftplatform mechanism 34 is such that a primary pressure is applied to thelift piston 140 in order to elevate the same and the containersupporting platform 134 to its uppermost position. After the primary airhas been applied to the piston at a predetermined pressure of 12 p.s.i.,then a secondary air is applied to the piston at a higher pressure of 20p.s.i. so as to maintain the container on the container supportingplatform 134 in tight sealing engagement with the filling head 38thereabove during the filling cycle. The secondary air is maintained onthe platform during the entire filling cycle and after the container hasbeen filled, the air pressure on the piston 140 is released toatmosphere so the platform will drop by gravity to its lower position.It will now be understood that when the rotary structure 10 rotates,each port 162 in the annular bearing ring 92 successively cooperateswith the grooves 170, 188, and 198 to sequentially cause the platform toraise, be held in the raised position at an increased pressure and thenlowered. Effectively, the fiuid pressure grooves 170, 188, and 198 inthe ring 60 and the port 162 in the bearing ring 92 cooperatingtherewith as it is moved past the same, is a distributor valve forcontrolling the operation of the lift platforms.

In order that the air supplied under pressure to the grooves 170, 188,and 198 cannot leak outwardly betwen the bearing surfaces 96 and 94 ofthe bearing rings 60 and 92 respectively, a film of oil under pressureis applied to the bearing surfaces on either side of the grooves 170,188, and 198, the oil providing an effective seal for the air as well asa lubricating liquid whereby the annular bearing ring 92 is supported onthe stationary annular bearing ring 60 by a film of liquid. In otherwords, the entire rotary structure 12 is supported on the stationarystructure through the bearing rings 60 and 92, the thin fihn oflubricating liquid between the bearing rings providing a hydrostaticbearing for the assembly. Since the annular bearing rings 60 and 92having a diameter substantially as great as the rotary turret structure12, the weight of the rotary turret structure is more evenly distributedon the stationary frame structure and consequently, higher speeds offilling can be obtained by rotating the rotary structure at a fasterr.p.m. than heretofore known.

In order to provide a film of lubricating liquid such as oil between thebearing surfaces 96 and 94, of the bearings 60 and 92 respectively, thebearing surface 96 of stationary bearing ring 60 is provided with afirst pair of concentrically spaced oil grooves 214 radially outwardlyof the air manifolds or grooves 170, 188, and 198 and a second pair ofconcentrically spaced oil grooves 216 radially inwardly of the airmanifolds or grooves 170, 188, and 198. Between the pair of grooves 214there is a concentric oil return groove 218 whereas between the pair ofoil grooves 216 there is a concentric oil return groove 220. The oilgrooves 214 and 216 are provided with babbits 222 as best shown inFigure 3 and Figure 12. The babbits 222 are held in position by pins 224in the same manner as the pin 186 holds the babbit 172 in place. It willalso be noted that the babbit is radially spaced with respect to thebabbits 222 and is held in place by a pin 226. The babbits 222 providean effective dam for the oil grooves and their purpose will be explainedin more detail later in the specification.

Referring now to Figure 20 which is a schematic flow diagram, oil orother lubricating liquid from sump 184 flows through a strainer 228 to apositive displacement pump 230. The pump 230 is provided with a bypass232 which has a back pressure relief valve 233. The

oil is normally pumped through the line 234 to an oil filter 236. Apressure gage 237 provided on the oil filter 236 and suitably mounted onthe machine gives an indication of the pressure being developed by thepump 230. The oil from the filter 236 flows to a cross fitting 238 whereit in turn flows in four separate lines 240, 242, 246, and 248 to theoil grooves 214 and 216 of the bearing ring 60. In more detail, the line240 connects to the bearing ring 60 as shown in Figure 7 and on the line7-7 of Figure 3 and communicates with a port 250. The port 250 connectswith the passageway 252 which in turn communicates with the pair ofgrooves 214. The line 248 connects to a port 254 which in turn connectsto a passageway 256 that communicates with the pair of grooves 216 inthe bearing 60. The lines 246 and 242 supply the grooves 214 and 216respectively at a different location on the bearing ring 60 in exactlythe same manner as the lines 240 and 248 as shown in Figure 7. In otherwords, the line 242 and 2484;mmunicate with the-ports 258 and 260as-shown on-thesection line 7'-7 of'Figure 3. g 4 V a a 011 underpressure in the grooves 214 and 216 tenduto flow clockwise in thegrooves as viewed imFigure 3 since the bearing ring 92 is rotating in aclockwise-direction. Adjacent the dams or babbits 222, a pain of outletports 262 and 264 are provided to communicate. with the grooves 214- and216 in:the identical manner as shown in the sectional view of Figure -7.Lines- 266 and 268 communicating with the ports 262 and 2'64 lead to across fitting 270, one branch 272' of the-cross fitting extending to a'back-pressure 'valve274--and:to...a pipe 276 which extends throughthetable 20 ofithe-stationary frame structure and emptiesonto the ringggear-72iand drive gear 76-so as to lubricate the same. The "otherbranch 278 of fitting 270'extends to a pressure gage 280 and-t0 apressure responsive switch 282 in the electrical circuit 284 for motor90. So longasithere is sufficient pressure in the grooves 214- and 216the-pressure responsive switch 282 is held-in the closed positi'on.

andithe motor 90 can operate.- If-for any reason the pressure in.thegrooves 214 and 216 drops below a predetermined value the switch 282opens breakingythe circuit to the motor 90 thereby stoppingv the' samesothat the rotary turret structure stops andthe bearing is not-damaged.This arrangement provides'a means to prevent the bearing rings 60 and 92from rotating relative to one another unless thereis suflicient pressurebetween .the horizontal surface 96 and 94 respectively to provide a thinfilm of liquid so that the bearing ring 92 is supported thereby on thebearing ring 60.

When'oilis being supplied to the grooves 214 and V 216,itwillflow in thedirection of the arrows shown in Figure 6.- A certaintamount of the oilwill pass radially outwardly and'inwardly of the bearing ring 60 whereasa certain amount .of the oil willflow into the oil return grooves.21$;and-220 as well as into the air manifolds or grooves 170, 188, and198. In'order that the oil may be reclaimed and used over, thebearingring 60 is provided with a plurality of radially extending slots286as shown in Figures 8 and 8a. The slots 286 communicate withthengrooves 218 and 220 by means 'of vertical passages 288fand290. Aswill now be evident, any oil flowing overtheouter wall of the bearingring-60 from the outermost oil groove 214 can flow-radially inwardlyalong the table 20 ofthe stationary frame structure 10 through the slots286. Also, the oil flowing into the return grooves 218 and 220 can flowinto the slots 286 and then inwardly-along thetable 20 of the stationaryframe structure 10. The, oil flowing over theinner edge of the bearingringv 60' flows directly onto the table 20 of the stationary framestructure 10. In addition to the radially extending slots 286which'communicate with the return grooves 218 and 220, other radiallyextending slots 292 may be provided in the bottom surface-of the bearingring 60-as shown. in Figures 14 and 15, the slots 292assisting intransferring oil flowing over the outside of the ring 60 back toward thecenter and on the table 20.- Table 20 is provided with the hole 294which receives a fitting 296 having a downwardlyextending pipe 298. Thelower end-of the pipe 298 is received in the reservoir or sump 184 sothat oil flowingacross the table top 20 can be returned directly to theoil reservoir. A breather 302 istprovided on the reservoir 184 so thatany air entrapped imthe oil can escape from the reservoir to atmoshpere.

In order that the oil escaping radially outwardly of thetbearing ring 60isnotflung outwardly of the machine by the centrifugal force exertedthereon by the rotation of. the rotary turret structure 12, an annularguard memberl3'04 which is. U-shaped in cross section is providedradially. outwardly of the bearing ring 60. The guard member 304- isbolted to the table 220 by suitable studs 306' The upwardlyextendinglegs 308 of U-shaped guard member-304 are received in a pair ofspaced apart coneieritricauuular'grooves 310 providedin the downwardlyfacing surface 4942 of- .theupper bearing ring 92 oill eseapingitfrombetween the bearing; sur'facesa94 and 96 ofw'the rings 92 and 60lwi-llengage the inner leg 308 of the baffie :orvguard member 304 andwillzrollldownwardly,of the same and' back through the slots 286 and i292 in--the bottomof the ring- 60. In addition toaproviding auguardagainst the oil or lubricating: liquid. from escaping outwardly; theguard member 304 effectively prevents any water-from getting. on thebearing rings 60 and 92: andmore particularly, to the bearing surfacesthrough holes 312.

Operation The operation oftherfilling machine may be briefly describedas follows:

Thereser'voir'36 is suitably filled by liquid to be dispensed from asource: not-shown through the pipe 42. The super-posed gassfor thereservoir 36 is delivered through theline'50 from .a suitable source-ofcarbon dioxide. Assuming that the reservoir is filled with liquid to apredetermined level and under a predetermined pressure as determined bythe CO gas, the filling machine is ready for operation. Before therotary turretstructure 12 is started, the oil pump 230is started so thatoil may be pumped from the sump 184 throughzthe line "-234 to an oilfilter 236 where it is then distributed to the oil grooves 214 and-216.Once the oil pressure'has been built -upt-in the grooves '214 and216,-such pressure will be reflectedon the pressure gage 280. andthe'p'ressure sWitch 282 will be closed. When'the pressure switch 282is-closed,ithe motor can then bezstarted. Simultaneously with thestartingof the motor.=90; a compressor (not shown) which suppliescompressed air to the lift platforms 34 may be also started; Withth'e'starting of the motor 90;. the rotary turret structure 12ibegins torotate with respect to the stationary frame structure-'10.

Containers traveling on the straight -line' flat top con .veyors 26 arepicked up by thearticle feed :and timing screw 28 and are deliveredsuccessivelyuto the rotating infeed dial; The dial 30 transfers thecontainers onto the platforms 134 when the platforms aredntheirloweredpositioni Immediatelyafter a container is received onramovingi-platform 134-, the cylinder 118 carrying the platformwill bemoved with the turret structure 12' to atmosphere. Whenith'e conta'iner:supported on the platform (134 has been elevatedto a position where itis in engagement with th'e filling liea-d-38, the ring -92 will be movedto a position"; where the-port 162has':pa'ssedthe babbit 173 and is inicommunicationwith the high pressure air manifold'or grooves 188;'Compressed'air'is' then applied beneath; the-v piston. at approximately20 pounds p.s.i. Byapplying the higher pressure to the lift platformmechanism 34 when it'isin its upperposi- .tion, the container makesiatight sealing engagement with V the filling head 38 without a jarring:action on the filling machine. As the ring 92. is'rotating with the port162 inlcommunication with the; elongated arcuate gIOOVBTOI' air manifold188 in ring 60, the-filling cycle including applicationof.counterpressure:- to the container, filling,v and"'snifting,. ifr-desired,-lroccurs. When the ring. 22 g moved to a position where the port162 passes the babbit 262, the compressed air under the piston 140 isexhausted through the port 200 in the exhaust manifold 198.

Since there may be some oil entrained with the air being exhaustedthrough the exhaust manifold or groove 98, the port 200 is connected tothe fitting 202 where the air and entrained oil is led to a passageway204 to the standpipe 208. The air will be exhausted upwardly through thestandpipe 208 to atmosphere while oil will drop downwardly into pipe 210and to the sump 184.

As previously mentioned, the oil film provided between the bearingsurfaces 94 and 96 of the bearing rings 92 and 60, respectively, servestwo functions. First the oil film provides a hydrostatic bearing forsupporting the turret structure 12 on the stationary frame structure 10.

Second the oil film provides a means for sealing the area between thebearing surface on either side of the air manifolds 170, 188 and 198. Inthis respect, the oil pressure applied through the oil grooves 214 and216 should be at least equal to or greater than the pressure of the airin the secondary air groove 188. In other words, if the air pressure inthe groove 188 is substantially equal to 20 pounds p.s.i., the oilpressure in the grooves 214 and 216 as well as between the surfaces ofthe bearing rings 60 and 92 must be at least 20 pounds p.s.i. orgreater.

At the end of each of the grooves 214 and 216, the ports 262 and 264 areprovided for returning the oil to the sump 184. However, beforereturning the oil to the reservoir or sump 184, the oil passes through aback pressure valve 274 which maintains the necessary pressure in thegrooves 214 and 216. The oil is flowed from the back pressure valvethrough a pipe 276 extending upwardly through the table 20 of thestationary frame structure 10. The pipe 276 is adapted to discharge theoil over the ring gear 72 and drive gear 76, the oil then dropping backonto the table 20 and through the aperture 294 and pipe 295 to the sump184. The oil under pressure prior to going into the back pressure valve274 is also fed to a pressure gage 280 through the ring 278 so that theoperator of the machine may determine at what pressure the machine isoperating. In addition, the oil actuates and closes the pressureoperating switch 282 in the circuit 284 of the motor 90. Should thepressure of the oil in the groove 214 and 216 drop below a predeterminedsafe value, then the pressure operated switch 282 will open and themotor 90 will stop so that there can be no damage to the bearingsurfaces 96 and 94 of the bearing rings 60 and 92 respectively. Oilwhich is not delivered directly to pipes 266, 268 but which flowsoutwardly and inwardly of the grooves 214 and 216 between the surfaces94 and 96 is conveyed from the ring 60 to the table top 20 where it thenreturns through the hole 294, pipe 295 to the sump 184.

Any oil entrained in the air being exhausted from the grooves 170 and188 is returned to the sump through lines 182 and 196 directly as thesump is also used as an exhaust means through which the air from thegrooves 17 and 188 will exhaust to atmosphere.

A suitable sight gage 324 positioned at a convenient spot is connectedby pipe 322 to the reservior or sump 184. Petcock 320 is provided fordraining of the sump 184 when it is desired to renew the oil.

Having set forth the nature, objects and advantages of the presentinvention, it will now be perceived that the container filling machineand more particularly, the arrangement for maintaining the rotary turretstructure on the stationary frame structure as well as the novel meansof providing a fluid pressure operated lift mechanism through the novelbearing arrangement provides for an improved filling machine capable ofoperating at extremely fast speeds with vibration due to rotation andactuation of various parts reduced to a mininum.

While the filling machine of the present invention has been described inits preferred embodiment, it is now 12 obvious that certain changes,adjustments and modifications could be made without departing from theprinciple and spirit of the invention. For this reason, the terminologyused in the specification is for the purpose of description and notlimitation, the scope of the invention being indicated in the claims.

We claim:

1. In a filling machine for filling containers: a stationary framestructure having an upwardly facing annular bearing surface, saidsurface being provided with at least a pair of concentrically spacedgrooves having a lubricating liquid from a source of liquid suppliedthereto at a predetermined pressure; a rotary turret structure having adownwardly facing horizontal annular bearing surface complimentay insize and cooperating with said upwardly facing bearing surface of saidstationary frame structure, said rotary turret structure including acylinder, a container supporting platform carried by said cylinder andoperable from a lower position to an upper posltion by fluid pressure insaid cylinder, a filling head positioned above and in alignment withsaid container supporting platform and a liquid reservoir; means forapplying a fluid under a predetermined pressure through said bearingsurfaces intermediate said grooves to said cylinder to cause containersupporting platform to raise; means for returning lubricating liquid tosaid source from between said ,bearing surfaces; and means forexhausting fluid under pressure in said cylinders through said bearingsurfaces intermediate said grooves to thereby lower said containersupporting platform from its upper position.

2. A filling machine of the character described in claim 1 includingmeans to stop said rotary turret structure when pressure of lubricatingliquid between said first and second mentioned bearing surfaces dropsbelow said predetermined value.

3. A filling machine of the character described in claim 1 wherein saidmeans for returning lubricating liquid to said source includes pressureresponsive means to stop said rotary turret structure when pressure oflubricating liquid between said first and second mentioned bearingsurfaces drops below a predetermined value.

4. A filling machine of the character described in claim 1 includingmeans communicating with at least one of said lubricating grooves andapplying a back pressure to the lubricating liquid therein, said lastmentioned means returning said lubricating fluid from said groove tosaid source.

5. A filling machine of the character described in claim 1 includingmeans for returning lubricating liquid escaping from between saidbearing surfaces to said source.

6. A filling machine of the character described in claim 1 includingmeans to apply fluid pressure to said cylinder through said bearingsurface intermediate said grooves at a predetermined pressure higherthan said first mentioned predetermined fluid pressure for causing saidcontainer supporting platform to raise, said second mentioned fluidpressure being applied after said container supporting platform hasmoved to its upper position and prior to the exhausting of fluidpressure from said cylinder.

7. A filling machine of the character described in claim 1 wherein saidfluid pressure applied to said cylinder is no greater than the pressureof the lubricating liquid applied to said grooves.

8. In a filling machine for filling containers: a stationary framestructure, said stationary frame structure being provided with anannular ring having a horizontal upwardly facing bearing surface; arotary turret structure including a reservoir, a filling head carried onsaid reservoir, and container supporting means in alignment with andbeneath said filling head, said rotary turret structure including anannular ring having a downwardly facing horizontal bearing surfacecomplementary in size to and cooperating with the upwardly facingbearing surface of the ring on said stationary frame structure; saidcontainer supporting means including a cylinder carried by the ring of'said'rotary turret structure; a piston insaid cylinder and. a containersupporting, platformcarried-by said piston and movable from-a lowerposition to an upper-position-upon application of fluid pressure to saidcylinder; means for applying a gaseous-fluid under pressure to saidcylinderthrough said first and; second rings. and means to provide aseal for said fluid pressure means between said bearing surfaces, saidlast mentioned means including-means to supply a lubricating liquidunder a pressure between said bearing surfaces. substantially around thesame" and on each side of said gaseous fluid where said gaseous fluidpasses throughsaid first and second rings thereby'providing-a seal forsaid gaseous fluid as well .as providing a film between said bearingsurfaces forsupporting said rotary turret structure for rotation on saidstationary structure.

9. A filling machine of the character described in claim 8 wherein saidpiston is provided on its lower end with a short cylindrically shapedfitting and wherein-saidcylinder at its lower end is provided with abore having a diameter substantially equal to said fitting and adaptedto receive said fitting to cushion the downward stroke of said piston.

10. In a filling machine for filling containers with liquids: astationary frame structure having a substantially horizontal tablesurface; an annular bearing ring fixed to and carried on said table,said bearing ring having a horizontal upwardly facing bearing surface,said bearing surface being provided with a first pair of concentricallyspaced annular lubricating liquid grooves and a second pair ofconcentrically spaced annular lubricating liquid grooves, each pair ofgrooves extending substantially around said bearing surface, saidsurface also having a first arcuate gaseous fluid groove and a secondarcuate gaseous fluid groove having a radius equal to the radius of thefirst arcuate gaseous fluid groove, said first and second arcuategaseous fluid grooves being positioned on said surface between saidfirst and second pairs of grooves; a rotary turret structure comprisinga reservoir, a filling head carried on said reservoir and containersupporting means in alignment with and beneath said filling head, saidrotary turret structure including an annular bearing ring having ahorizontal downwardly facing hearing surface cooperating with theupwardly facing bearing surface of the ring on said stationary framestructure; said container supporting means including a cylinder carriedby the ring on said rotary turret structure, a piston in said cylinderand a container supporting platform carried by said piston; means forsupplying a lubricating liquid under pressure from a source oflubricating liquid to each pair of said lubricating liquid grooves insaid ring on said stationary frame structure; means for returninglubricating liquid to said source, said means including grooves in saidupwardly facing bearing surface intermediate the grooves of each pair ofgrooves; means to supply a gaseous fluid under pressure to said firstarcuate groove in the ring on said stationary frame structure; meansproviding communication at least to atmosphere from said second gaseousfluid groove in the ring on said stationary frame structure; and fluidconnecting means between said cylinder and the horizontal downwardlyfacing bearing surface of said ring on said rotary turret structure,said last mentioned means being adapted to cooperate with said first andsecond gaseous fluid grooves to first raise the container supportingplatform and then lower the container supporting platform.

11. A filling machine of the character described in claim 10 including adam in each groove of each of said pair of grooves and means adjacentsaid dam providing communication between said pair of grooves and saidsource whereby lubricating liquid is returned to said source.

12. A filling machine of the character described in claim 11 whereinsaid last mentioned means includes means for applying a back pressure tothe lubricating liau drin sa rai 9I99Y andanea s. iaris apn asaa d claimv10 eludin n-.'annu r emberrc r'ied y sa d table outwardly ofisaid rings;onsaid-table,-;jsaid mb'er being U-shapedinicross section, saidringnsaidaotary turret structure having: a -pair, o-fannular vcont-ten.tricgrooves therein ;on--it-s 1 downwardly: facing :surfac'e to freceivingthe ends of said memberzto provide awatergtrap.

14. A; filling -machine -of the;;c'h'aracter-, described in claim 13 7wherein:- saidring: on said :stationary. frame structure is providedvwithwradial-ly extending slots; in its bottom surface wherebylubricating Eliquid passing; zofver sides of the rings from: between;the bearing, surfaces thereof can be :returned inwardly-"ofttheeringaontoirthe table of -said ;stationaryjstructure.- v 15A'fillingymachine ofwthe-zcharacteridescribed in claim 10 wherein saidring on said stationary frame structure is provided with radiallyextending slots in its bottom surface, and wherein said slots are incommunication with said lubricating liquid return grooves whereby liquidcan be returned inwardly of the ring onto the table of the stationarystructure.

16. In a filling machine for filling containers: a statationary framestructure having an upwardly facing horizontal annular bearing surface,said surface being provided with a pair of concentrically spacedlubricating liquid grooves and a first arcuate gaseous fluid pressuregroove concentric with and intermediate of said pair of liquid groovesand a second arcuate gaseous fluid groove also concentric with andintermediate of said pair of liquid grooves; a rotary turret structurecomprising a plurality of cylinders, a container supporting platformcooperating with each of said plurality of said cylinders and adapted tobe moved vertically by fluid pressure in said cylinders from a lowerposition to an upper position, a plurality of filling heads one being invertical alignment with each container supporting platform and areservoir, said rotary turret having a downwardly facing horizontalannular bearing surface cooperating with said upwardly facing bearingsurface of said stationary frame structure; means for applying a liquidunder pressure from a source of lubricating liquid to said pair ofliquid grooves wherebysaid rotary turret structure is supported forrotation on said stationary frame structure by a film of liquid, meansto return said lubricating liquid to said source from between saidbearing surfaces; means for supplying a gaseous fluid under pressure tosaid first mentioned arcuate groove; means connecting said secondarcuate groove to atmosphere; and individual fluid connecting meansbetween each of said cylinders and the bearing surface of said rotaryturret structure, said last mentioned means cooperating with said firstand second arcuate grooves whereby said container supporting platformsare raised vertically when gaseous fluidunderpressure is supplied to thecylinders through said. fluid connecting means and said first actuategroove and wherein fliud pressure in said cylinders is exhausted throughsaid fluid connecting means and said second actuate groove so saidcontainer supporting platforms can be lowered.

17. In a rotary filling machine for filling containers: a stationaryframe structure having an upwardly facing annular bearing surface; arotary turret structure comprising a downwardly facing annular bearingsurface complementary in size and cooperating with said upwardly facingbearing surface, a plurality of container supporting platforms, aplurality of filling heads. in vertical alignment with said platforms,and a reservoir; one

of said first and second mentioned bearing surfaces having at least twoconcentric annular grooves extending substantially around the same,means to supply a lubricating liquid from a source of lubricating liquidto said grooves at a predetermined pressure whereby a film oflubricating liquid is formed between said bearing surfaces suflicient tosupport the rotary turret on said stationary frame for rotation; meansto return said lubricating liquid to said source from between saidsurfaces, means tosupply a gaseous fluid at a predetermined pressure tosaid container supporting platforms to operate the same, saidlast-mentioned means including a distributor manifold groove in one ofsaid bearing surfaces intermediate said lubricating liquid grooveswhereby said lubricating liquid between said bearing surfaces provides aseal for the gaseous fluid.

18. In a rotary filling machine for filling containers: a stationaryframe structure having an upwardly facing annular bearing surface; arotary turret structure comprising a downwadly facing annular bearingsurface complementary in size and cooperating with said upwardly facingbearing surface, a plurality of container supporting platforms, aplurality of filling heads in a vertical alignment with said platformsand a reservoir; said upwardly facing bearing surface having at leasttwo pairs of concentric annular grooves therein; a source of lubricatingliquid; means for supplying lubricating liquid from said source to eachgroove of each pair of grooves at a predetermined pressure whereby saidturret structure is supported for rotation on said frame structure by afilm of lubricating liquid; means incluuding one groove intermediate thegrooves of each pair of grooves for returning lubricating liquid to saidsource; and means to supply a gaseous fiuid under pressure to saidcontainer supporting platforms to operate the same, said means includinga distributor manifold groove in said upwardly facing bearing surfaceintermediate said first and second pairs of lubricating liquid grooves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,309,859 Mojonnier et al. Feb. 2, 1943

